08 January 2010

Ugandan Cabinet Contests Anti-Gay Bill; Sponsor Refuses to Withdraw

An update to the extreme state-sponsoredterror campaign against gays in lesbians in Uganda: A senior cabinet minister has came out against the proposed draconian Anti Homosexuality Bill—which attempts to legislate gays out of existence and would include life imprisonment and/or death penalties. The country's investments minister says officials are worried the bill would scare off investors. But another official and the bill's sponsor are refusing requests to withdraw the legislation.

"The government's position is that the existing provisions in our penal code against homosexuality are strong enough and that this new bill is not necessary," Aston Kajara, the state minister for investments, told AFP. "The penal code already sufficiently covers this issue," he added. However, another top minister contested Kajara's comments. Ethics Minister James Nsaba Buturo, a staunch supporter of the bill who has repeatedly stated that "homosexuals can forget about human rights," said Kajara could not speak on behalf of government. "I would be the right person to speak for government on this issue not Mr Kajara," Buturo told AFP.

Meanwhile: MP David Bahati, the sponsor of the bill, reiterates that he will refuse requests to withdraw the legislation.
Bahati tells the New York Times: " 'I stand by the bill,' Bahati said. 'I will not withdraw it. We have our children in schools to protect against being recruited into (homosexuality). The process of legislating a law to protect our children against homosexuality and defending our family values must go on.' "